Analysis: Teams seek clarification about diffusers

Only weeks after the introduction of the 2009 cars, the legality of the Williams FW31 and the Toyota TF109 has been questioned by some of their rivals, 'autosport' reports. It appears that some of the teams are seeking clarification from the FIA about the height of the rear diffusers.

Renault will be one of the teams asking the governing body to make a clarification on the rear diffusers. Pat Symonds said: "We will be asking the FIA about it, but we haven't yet."

The issue is apparently about an area that allows the extension of the diffuser 75mm left and right of the car's centre line. In reality, this enables the engineers to still create a longer central channel right under the rear light.

The rules that define this area state the following:

3.10.4 No part of the car between 75mm and 355mm from the car centre line may be more than 350mm behind thee rear wheel centre line.

3.10.5 Any parts of the car less than 75mm from the car centre line and more than 500mm behind the rear wheel centre line must be situated between 200mm and 400mm above the reference plane.

3.10.6 No part of the car less than 75mm from the car centre line and more than 350mm behind the rear wheel centre line may be more than 400mm above the reference plane.

While one can argue that using this area as a diffuser part would contravene the spirit of the rules, there is very good reason to think that the design will be approved and that all teams will follow suit.